Endless track constructed from vehicle tire

ABSTRACT

Endless tracks constructed from the tread(s) of vehicle tire(s) by removing the tire sidewalls. The tread section is installed “as is” over pneumatic tires which are mounted in a frame containing adjusting slots and bolts to position the axles of the pneumatic tires so that tension is applied to the tread. The adjusting slots also allow the axle centerlines to be skewed relative to each other so that the tread will run on-center when no side load is present. Guide rollers contact the sides of the tread to limit the amount of off-center displacement when a side load is present. A spring loaded wiper is installed so that it contacts the under side of the upper run of the tread and removes debris prior to the tread feeding onto the forward most pneumatic tire which applies driving force to the tread.

REFERENCES

[0001] U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,814,046 7/1931 Kegresse 2,698,667 1/1955 Kropp 2,899,242 8/1959 Bombardier 2,290,109 7/1942 Mayne 3,107,128 10/1963 Ruane 3,144,930 8/1964 Michels 3,582,154 7/1971 Russ 3,710,886 1/1973 Wagner 4,410,219 10/1983 Van der Lely 4,469,379 9/1984 Kotyuk 4,480,670 11/1984 Payne 4,618,015 6/1985 Yochum 4,671,774 6/1987 Owsen 4,705,325 11/1987 Oerding 4,830,439 5/1989 Collins 4,881,609 11/1989 Purcell 5,005,922 4/1991 Edwards, et. al. 5,045,030 9/1991 Cunningham 5,388,624 2/1995 Nordstrom, et. al. 5,484,321 1/1996 Ishimoto 5,954,148 9/1999 Okurma, et. al. 6,007,166 12/1999 Tucker 6,139,121 10/2000 Muramatsu 6,203,125 3/2001 Arakawa

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many designs for endless tracks have been used and many others have been proposed ever since the advent of tracked vehicles. The main disadvantage of these designs is the high cost associated with the relatively low production of a complex product. The intent of this invention is to provide a low cost, durable track constructed from vehicle tires, and a method for utilizing this track on a vehicle without the use of complex attachments to the track.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention describes endless vehicle tracks constructed from vehicle tires by removing the sidewalls and using the tread portion to construct an endless track. The waste stream of scrap tires contain tires that are unusable due to sidewall damage. Since the treads on these tires often have very little wear, their sidewalls can be removed and the treads can be used as an endless track without further modification for many applications. By virtue of their construction (imbedded steel and nylon reinforcements) the treads are almost indestructible. Referenced U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,814,046/2,899,242/2,290,109/3,144,930/3,582,154/4,469,379/6,203,125 show various types of reinforced endless tracks. The disadvantage of these designs is the high manufacturing costs.

[0004] For low performance applications (small loads, low power, and/or low speeds) the tracks can be used “as is” and simply mounted over two smaller wheels relying on friction to drive the track. Preferably, the wheels would be pneumatic tires which will give a smooth ride and sufficient driving traction on the track. Referenced U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,698,667/3,107,128/3,710,886/4,410,219/4,480,670/4,618,015/4,671,774/5,388,624 show endless tracks cooperating around pneumatic tires using various methods to drive the track and/or maintain track alignment. Referenced U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,484,321/6,139,121 show methods to positively drive the track. Referenced U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,045,030/5,954,148 show guide rollers contacting the track to maintain alignment. All of these designs can be incorporated into tracks constructed from vehicle tires by attaching devices to the track using mechanical or chemical (vulcanizing, gluing, etc.) means. However, by using simple guide rollers that contact the edges of the track to keep it centered on the tires and a wiper to keep debris (mud, snow, etc.) from accumulating on the drive tire and/or the inside of the track, satisfactory performance can be obtained without resorting to the costly approaches shown in the prior art.

[0005] The tracks may be modified for applications requiring higher performance. Their size (length and/or width) may be increased by splicing and/or laminating a plurality of treads allowing them to carry greater loads. For many applications the existing tread pattern will give excellent traction. However, the tread rubber can be selectively removed to obtain a pattern (such as lugs) on the outer surface of the track without sacrificing the strength by leaving a thin layer of rubber over the reinforcing materials. For either the high or low performance application, the treads taken from vehicle tires (especially scrap tires) can be used to construct very low cost, durable endless tracks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a side view of the track, its supporting frame, pneumatic tires, and a spring loaded wiper.

[0007]FIG. 2 is an end view of the track, tire, and the guide rollers.

[0008]FIG. 3 shows the pneumatics tires in a exaggerated skewed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, the axle 2 for the idler wheel 3 projects through the adjustment slot 6 on both sides of the frame. The adjusting bolt 5 moves the axle 2 in the for/aft direction to so that the center distance between the wheels 3 and 9 can be varied to increase the tension of the track. The adjustment slots also allow the axles to be skewed (FIG. 3) as required to keep the track running true and not wander off center when there is no side load applied to the tracks. The wiper 9 is kept in contact with track 10 by virtue of the force applied by the tension spring 8 to the wiper arm 7 which pivots about point “A”. The drive wheel 9 is the forward wheel relative to the direction the vehicle is traveling. Since the inner side of the track is facing downward prior to feeding onto the drive wheel, debris falls off the under side of the track due to gravity and the cleaning action of the wiper. Experience has shown that the track accumulates debris mainly during turning and will expel most debris while the vehicle is traveling straight.

[0010] Occasional side loads (such as turning) can cause the track to run off-center. FIG. 2 shows brackets 6 that support guide rollers 1 which limit the track offset from center and are spaced so that they are not in constant contact with the track 2 when it is running on-center. Once the side load is removed, the track returns to the center position and does not contact the rollers. 

I claim:
 1. A endless track constructed from vehicle tire tread(s).
 2. A endless track constructed by splicing and/or laminating tread sections obtained from vehicle tires.
 3. A endless track constructed from vehicle tire tread(s) by removing the tire sidewalls and installing said tread(s) over two or more laterally disposed pneumatic tires mounted in a frame comprising: adjusting slots for positioning the axles of said pneumatic tires; adjusting bolts for fixing the distance between axles of said pneumatic tires and allow said axles to be skewed so that said track will run on-center in the absence of a side load; guide rollers which contact sides of said track to limit the amount of off-center displacement of said track in the presence of a side load; one or more spring loaded wiper(s) that contact the under side of the upper run of said track; and relative to the direction of travel the forward most of said pneumatic tires applying frictional driving force to said track. 